Archive · 23 Sep 2026
India's Tourism Minister Says Experiential Travel Is Next Major Trend
India’s Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat spoke about how travel is changing.
He said many travellers now want special experiences, not just visits to famous sights.
People use social media and artificial intelligence to choose where to go.
However, he said technology cannot replace friendly human help.
He also warned that one bad experience can make visitors view a destination negatively.
Shekhawat said tourism should be honest, responsible and sustainable.
He described tourism as a way for people and countries to build peace.
He said India should welcome guests according to the belief that guests are divine.
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat identified experiential travel as tourism’s next major trend.
He said travellers increasingly want meaningful, seamless and wholesome experiences instead of conventional sightseeing.
Shekhawat said social media and artificial intelligence are shaping how people discover destinations.
He stressed that technology cannot replace human interaction and warned that poor visitor experiences can harm perceptions.
The minister called tourism a tool for peace diplomacy and urged sustainable, value-based growth rooted in “Atithi Devo Bhava.”
- Who
- Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat.
- What
- He said experiential travel is emerging as the next major tourism trend and urged sustainable, value-based growth.
- When
- At the WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026 on September 23, described as a Wednesday.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- Travellers increasingly seek meaningful experiences and seamless journeys, while tourism growth must remain responsible and sustainable.
- Speaker
- Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Tourism Minister
- Event
- WION Iconic Tourism Summit & Awards 2026
- Date
- September 23
- Location
- New Delhi
- Emerging trend
- Experiential travel
- Technology mentioned
- Social media and artificial intelligence
- Tourism principle
- “Atithi Devo Bhava,” or the belief that a guest is divine
- Broader role of tourism
- A vital instrument for peace diplomacy